Quebec Native Women

Founded in 1974, Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW) represents the women of the First Nations of Quebec and the Aboriginal women living in urban areas.

We are a bilingual and a non-profit organization member of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. We sit at the table of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, on the Board of Directors of the Native Para-judicial Services of Quebec, on the First Nations Human Resources Development Commission if Quebec and on several other aboriginal and non-aboriginal commissions and committees.

We are the only organization that group together all Aboriginal women of Quebec. We act as a spokesperson in order to make known the needs and priorities of our members especially those concerning the issues of equality, rights and justice.
Foundation

It’s creation was preceded by the rise of a political action group called Equal Rights for Indian Women. This group was under the supervision of Mary Two-Axe Early, a Mohawk from Kahnawake (then Caughnawaga). Their first goal was to have the Indian Act amended in order to recognize the right to equality for Aboriginal women.

Concerning Quebec Native Women creation, it was Women from all sectors that felt the need to regroup in order to make known their common concerns and priorities. They clearly saw that, whatever their nation, their problems were the same and they also realized that they were isolated amongst themselves. This is how the association came about. Members

To this day, close to 1,200 women are active members of QNW. 75% of them live in Aboriginal communities. Any women descendant of the First Nations in Canada aged 16 years or over, residing in the province of Quebec, may become a member of the Association by submitting an application for membership and having it approved by the Board of Directors of the local and/or provincial level.

If you would like to become a member, please call QNW more information.Logo

The moon: symbol of the grandmother.

The earth: symbol of the mother.

The sun: the male symbol.

Child’s face: symbol of women bearing future generations.

Arms spread: symbol of gathering.

Half-veiled face: symbol of the emerging native woman seeking to play an active role in society.